JASON

"Your soul will scream for mercy, but I will have none." I whisper. I stand before the man that raped my mate, and it is all I can do not to kill him now. Hades stands at my side, and I see fear in Arias's eyes. He realizes something changed.

Moving forward Hades runs a finger down Arias's arm and he screams out as the flames burn his flesh. "Aphrodite." That one word, and his eyes jump to mine. It is all the admission I need. I turn on my heel, leaving him to Hades. I must hunt. I shift and race to the portal to Olympus. I always disliked Aphrodite, as her "love" always made the beast’s hackles rise, and now I know why.

I burst through into the blinding brilliance of Olympus and a race to her temple. People scatter as the Hunter races through their midst. Good, get the fuck out of my way. My nails click over her marble floors, and my nose scents the air trying to find her. The need of both man and hound to punish her beats at me. Moving through the temple, I track her scent to her private rooms in the back, but she isn't here.

"She isn't here, Hunter."

I spin around growling; no one ever surprises me. I crouch ready to attack those that stand before me. The Fates. These bitches have never done anything for me.

"We see you have found she who listens but doesn't hear." Their three voice weave together and I'm stunned as their words penetrate my rage. I shift back and stand staring at them waiting for an explanation. "We told Persephone long ago of what we foresaw. Just as we knew we would find you here, searching for she who betrays us all."

"If you fucking knew, why didn't you say anything?" I yell at them, my anger starting to boil. "You could have prevented all of it."

"Knowledge changes things. The thread can be woven into different patterns, and we wanted her for you."

"Emma?" I ask.

"Yes. There is a war coming. Aphrodite has chosen her side. She has gone to he who wishes to rule, the one who misses our old world." The last comes on a breeze as they disappear. I rub my temples. God how I hate them. Who is he? Where has she gone? Couldn't they give me a goddamn clue. 'Speak to Raven.' A single voice whispers through my head and my lips curve, finally a hint. I bow my head in gratitude. Raven. The Druids are not going to like this. I stalk out of the temple and open a portal back to the Underworld. I'm taking Emma with me. Hades can have his time later.

I head straight to the room where Arias is. I know Hades will still be there. Poor bastard. Walking in, I don't stop until I reach the chair.

"She deserted you, ran to whoever you have been working with or for. You should just tell me and save yourself." I look back at Hades, his anger calmed enough for his flames to have died but his eyes are still icy blue. Looking back at Arias, I wait.

"Fuck you!" He spits out, blood flying onto my shirt. "I would rather die than tell you anything."

"Wish granted." Blue flames engulf him and his screams echo through the Underworld as Hades speaks.

"What the hell! I need him to tell me who they were working for." I yell, glaring at Hades.

The flames die out immediately, the smell of cooking meat fills the air. At some point he had passed out, thank the gods. I'm staring at his charred flesh when Emma burst through the door and her scream fills the room.

* * *

I ain't gonna lie, I went down like a sack of potatoes. Nothing ladylike here. No case of the vapors. Nope, I'm one hundred percent sure my head bounced off the floor like a melon. My eyes saw, but my mind couldn't comprehend. The smell, oh god, the smell; I can't even explain it. Then he moaned, and I realized he was still alive. I just can't even. Now I standhere with my head between my knees, trying to stay on my feet. Jason is rubbing my back, and I can't stop the gag that chokes me as I picture Arias's face, or what was left of it.

"I have to get out of here. Now," I scream.

"Hades agreed to let you take your time above now. I'm taking you to Aislin." Jason voice is firm but soft.

My tears start to fall, and in seconds, I'm sobbing her name. He scoops me up and strides away from the horror. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the images that are streaming on a loop through my head. In moments, the salt of a sea breeze fills my nose, and I pry open my eyes, hiccupping as I look around me.

"Welcome to my home," he whispers in my ear a second before I hear my name screamed.

"Aislin!" I throw myself from his arms, racing to her. We collapse in a heap on the ground. I hold her as tight as I can, and she squeezes me until I'm sure she's going to crack a rib, but I don't care. It takes only seconds before we are sobbing, clinging to each other. I ignore the others that have surrounded us and so does she. There is only the two of us.

How long we lay there, I'm not sure. I reveled in her hands rubbing through my hair. I bury my head in her neck as I lose myself in her perfume, the one I had made special for her. At some point, the others have moved away. Well, except Jason and Kai, who stay watching over us. Finally, the sobs die away and I lean back, smiling at her beautiful face. She smiles back before her eyes go to Jason. She squeezes me tight before pushing to her feet. She stands still for a nanosecond before launching herself into his arms. I chuckle and glance at Kai when he also barks out a laugh.

Jason holds her against him, "I told you I would bring her back to you, Kukla."

"Oh Bubba, I love you for it, but I'm also so glad you are okay. I was so worried we found the temple and the blood. I couldn't stand the thought of you hurt either." I smile at the surprised look that flits across his handsome face; the stupid man doesn't realize yet she chose him. He will never be alone again. Aislin is like my daddy, she loves hard once she chooses you. He thought he had no family, but as I look around, I see the faces of his family smiling at him. She slides down after a long while and comes back to me, grabbing my hand and dragging me inside.

Hours later, we are curled together on her bed, laughing and talking. Just like always. Something in me settles. I'm not delusional; I know things are going to be hard. I don't tell her about my deal with Hades, yet. We only crawl from bed because of the smell of coffee and breakfast. A grin break across my face when I open the door, and Jason is standing there holding a steaming cup of tea. I don't miss the wink he gives Aislin. I smile into the rim of my cup. My friend is sharing some of my secrets. I'm totally okay with it because I know nothing major will leave her vault. She crosses the hall and wraps herself around Kai, kissing him deeply. When they break away, she glances at me and we share a look. We had talked all night about everything that had happened to us. All the gory details. She had told me everything and my heart broke for her, but to see her with this man, it amazes me.

Daddy once told me it was the hardest paths that lead to the greatest treasures. I think my girl and I traveled ours. I look up at this man, he who holds my heart, and warmth spreads through me. We all move down the hall into the magnificent garden.

"Your house is amazing," I say, twirling in a circle and taking it all in.

"It could be yours, as well." His answer is quiet but stops me in my tracks. An older lady I haven't met yet stands frozen, hands wringing together at his words. I look at Aislin and she nods, grinning. So what else can I do? I nod slowly at him. I'm surprised at the relief I see on his face. Did he really think I could say no, to this, to him?

"I have to be in Nola too though. My family and everything is there." My deal with Hades beats at me. I don't know how I'm going to be able to keep my studio. Jason's face tells me he knows what I'm thinking, and I shake my head slightly. Understanding flares in his eyes and he drags me into his arms, letting me hide my face for a moment composing myself.

When I look up, Aislin is watching me eyes narrowed. I won't be able to hide it for long. We make our way to the table, and I eat like some ravenous animal as I realize days have passed since I had a full meal. Damia is happy to bring me plate after plate of food. Sean stares at me open mouthed, and I just grin around the piece of bacon I shoved in my maw. Aislin is putting the food away too. Kai and Jason smile at us. Michael and Raven sit quietly.

Aislin told me all about the heat that flows between her two boys and the Nordic beauty. I can see it now and it is hot. I glance at Aislin as Sean runs his hand down Raven’s thigh while Michael rests his arm over her shoulder. Her face is calm but I can feel her giddiness from here. Kai just shakes his head at us as I widen my eyes. We both bust out laughing.

"Whit are ye laughing at?" Sean growls at us.

"Oh, nothing, nothing at all," Aislin answers and we laugh harder.

"Right," Michael says.

We eventually stop laughing and listen as Jason talks about the Fates had told him. Aislin had told me of their prophecy about him and how she knew it was me the moment she heard it. Raven swore she had no idea what the Fates spoke of but agreed to speak to her father, Loki. Let me try to wrap my mind around that -- LOKI. Of course I have to meet him, because I can only picture Tom Hiddleston. Please, dear baby Jesus, let him look like Hiddles. I catch Aislin's side eye and know she is thinking the same thing, and she giggles again. All eyes turn to us.

"Sorry," I mumble.

"Um, we are going to go inside and let you guys talk about this. I know we can be obnoxious." She stands and I follow, leaning over and kissing Jason, before smirking at his lust filled eyes. We head in, arm in arm, to the garden. We each flop down on a chaise. I know Kai keeps her informed.

"Before I left to come find you, I started planning your wedding. I know lot's happened but I want to finish it." My deal plays through my head and I calculate my timeline. I have until Christmas.

"Are you sure?" Her eyes twinkle though and I know I have her.

"Yes, as long as we aren't swept up into something else crazy. I know we have to find Aphrodite, but don't you deserve this? Happiness."

"Don't you too? All your life you have put others happiness before your own. You dad, your mom, me, everyone. Jason can give you your own happiness," she responds.

"Of course I want it and I have it already but I really want to do this for you. It will, once and for all, get Moira off your back. If she still isn't happy well we can have Kai eat her or Jason drag her to the Underworld." I'm only half joking, but Aislin busts out laughing.

"Okay, let's do it." She smiles at me, mischief in her eyes.

* * *

I take her home. We spend time with her family. I help her dad as much as I dare. It is my gift to him, a thank you for raising her to survive for me. I watch her dance; it is a thing of beauty. We go out into her city with Aislin and Kai, people watching, eating, and drinking.

She takes me to her bayou. We make love under the night sky, and she loves that I can keep the bugs at bay. Nights are filled with whispered secrets. She tells me of the time she was gone after her fight with Aislin. Tells me what only one other person knows, that she was held by men her father owed money to. She tells me of how he had turned to drugs to fight his memories. Her tears break my heart, even when she says that it was that night that saved him. She isn’t ready to say what happened, and I don’t push. I tell her the horrors of the hound taking over, of watching him tear apart those I couldn’t save. I tell her of the guilt of those that Arias killed just to punish me. Somehow, at some point, I feel peace among the huge oaks dripping with Spanish moss, the water slowly sliding by as we sit at her dad’s little camp.

Mentally, I countdown the days, but we don’t speak of Hades and her deal out loud. Our nights are spent in each other's arms, and as the days grow slightly cooler there is an urgency in her touch. I often wake to find her sitting in the ancient rocking chair on the porch staring out into the night. Damn you, Hades.

Suddenly it is November. Our time is almost up. Tomorrow Aislin marries Kai … Again.